in some sandy desert, or collect its strength into a torrent, but to spread ruin and desolation along its borders. It involves a fearful responsibility, then, but we cannot shrink from the fact: parents usually decide the character of their offspring. It is so ordained of Heaven; children will obey the lessons given them at the fireside. As the stone hurled from the sling takes its direction and finds its resting-place at the bidding of the arm that wields it, so the child goes forward, and finds its grave in peace or sorrow, according to the impulse given at the fireside. Those who give existence to a human being, are likely to give shape and color to the destinies of an immortal spirit. The parent is linked to his child for good or ill, to eternity! |